NK conflict may be settled within the scope of defensive and economic space development only: Putin’s adviser
Sergei Glazyev, Russian presidential adviser on regional economic integration , participated in the first Forum of the Eurasian Partnership, launched in Yerevan. Besides his speech within the Forum, Glazyev replied to reporters’ questions. Particularly, touching upon Russia-Turkey rapprochement, he stated that it doesn’t ignore Armenia’s interest. Moreover, in his conviction, Armenia should not only concern about deepening of Russia-Turkey relations, but also may gain benefits from that. “I don’t observe any reason to consider that Armenia’s interest is ignored, or Armenia-Russia trade-economic relations may suffer from that. The deeper are ties not only inside EEU, but with the neighboring countries as well, the more strengthened relations inside the Eurasian union will be, political stability will strengthen and possibilities will increase,” he said. 168.am interviewed Sergey Glazyev on current stage of NK conflict settlement.
Mr. Glazyev, again Russia-USA confrontation in Syria has been sharpened, which led to Russia-USA cooperation suspension around Syrian crisis. According to some assessments it may be reflected in joint work of the USA and Russia in NK conflict peaceful settlement process. What expectations are there in this regard?
As I may judge from my experience of participating in different international forums, the USA usually fosters conflict sharpening and doesn’t support to mitigate them, i.e. where conflict situation is being touched upon, the Americans are right there, they use those conflicts for their interests.
How about Russia?
We have the opposite issue. We face the issue of settling the conflicts, so that they’re eliminated. Positions of the USA and Russia are quite different in this. Throughout the last 10 years, when the USA started to lose global leadership, we see that conflict tension is recorded in the world, i.e. in all the places, where the Americans succeed, they crease tension zones, in particular, in world economic zones, where they don’t have enough control. I mean Iraq, Libya. Americans have theoretically boosted these wars in world economic spaces, which weren’t under their control. By this very principle they intend to establish a chaotic situation in the post-Soviet space, as they consider they’re losing their leadership in our zone. They observe Eurasian integration as a threat to their colonial divinity, thus, initially rather unfairly the USA prevents Eurasian integration, telling that it’s an attempt to restore the Soviet Union, which isn’t so. However, we see that Americans boost conflicts everywhere in the post-Soviet space and always.
Does this refer to NK conflict as well?
I may say that Chechen situation in Russia was mainly encouraged, instigated by the USA, although Yeltsin was the best friend and partner for that, Bill and Boris were friends, but it didn’t prevent friend Bill from assisting militants’ terror acts, and those militants were sent to Russia from abroad. I consider, by this very scenario they may use any point to fail Eurasian Economic Union, including NK conflict.
Mr. Glazyev, you accuse the U.S., but after the April war contrary moods are observed—many accuse the Russian side of the current situation, in particular— armaments selling. This was expressed on the highest level, and recently Armenian FM touched upon it as well. Which steps should Russia initiate to that end?
I think the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan may be settled only within general defensive and economic space development. I realize, that it may be regarded not so popular both in Armenia and Azerbaijan, however, we eliminate customs borders, military-political borders, establish common system of security provision within CSTO. By that we can eliminate use of military force inside our common security zone, this way we make it impossible. And if we eliminate customs borders, we facilitate people’s move, freight transportation, accordingly, we create conditions for the development of joint production and strengthening of economic ties, which in case of proper management may be a good basis to establish good ties. Thus, in my opinion, we should boost joining of all Transcaucasia countries joining EEU and CSTO.
Does it refer to Azerbaijan, which doesn’t intend to join those projects?
Yes, this is my view on the settlement.
Judging from recent indices, sanctions imposed against Russia, its economy, EEU isn’t such an attractive union to touch upon its expansion.
Of course, initially expectations from EEU were negative in Armenia. I don’t know all the indices, but at today’s Forum EEU official provided an official data, pursuant which export volumes from Armenia to EEU have grown by 70%, I consider, this is a serious index. By the way, this index was recorded under the conditions mentioned by you.
By Araks Martirosyan
